Use of an immunogenic composition comprising VZV gE, or immunogenic fragment thereof, and a TH-1 adjuvant in the preparation of a medicament for the prevention or amelioration of shingles and/or post herpetic neuralgia. Compositions comprising a truncated VZV gE antigen and an adjuvant containing QS21, cholesterol and 3D MPL are also claimed.

Claim:

What is claimed is:

1. An immunogenic composition consisting essentially of a varicella zoster virus (VZV) gE antigen truncated to remove the carboxy terminal anchor region, which gE is not inthe form of a fusion protein, in combination with an adjuvant comprising QS21, 3D MPL, and liposomes comprising cholesterol.

2. A method of increasing cell-mediated immunity in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of an immunogenic composition comprising varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gE, which gE is not in the form of afusion protein, and a TH-1 adjuvant comprising QS21, 3D-MPL and liposomes, wherein the cell mediated immunity ameliorates at least one of shingles or post herpetic neuralgia in the patient.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liposomes comprise cholesterol.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the 3D-MPL is within a liposome.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gE is a truncate.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the gE is a C-terminal truncate.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the gE has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the immunogenic composition is administered to an individual of at least 50 years of age.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the immunogenic composition is administered to an immunocompromised individual.

10. A method of increasing cell-mediated immunity in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of an immunogenic composition comprising varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gE, which gE is not in the form of afusion protein and a TH-1 adjuvant comprising QS21, 3D-MPL and liposomes, wherein the cell mediated immunity prevents herpes zoster reactivation in the patient.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the liposomes comprise cholesterol.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the 3D-MPL is within a liposome.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the gE is a truncate.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the gE is a C-terminal truncate.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the gE has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the immunogenic composition is administered to an individual of at least 50 years of age.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the immunogenic composition is administered to an immunocompromised individual.